Gambian students in Indonesia have appealed to the government for urgent action after months-long delays in Machine Readable Passport renewals threatened scholarships, residency permits and travel.
The Gambian Students Association in Indonesia (GAM-INDO) said several students applied for new passports as early as February 2026 and are still waiting. Some have been told they must present renewed documents before 10 September 2026 to extend Indonesian residential permits next month. Failure to do so, the association warned, could lead to scholarship cancellation, deportation and other immigration and academic penalties.
A valid passport is required to maintain legal stay, renew permits, continue studies and travel for academic or professional events, GAM-INDO said. The problem is not isolated: executive members, including the public relations officer, secretary general, and social secretary, are among those affected.
The association said it has contacted the Gambian Embassy in China, the Gambia Immigration Department and the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, but the applications remain stalled. One student was recently denied boarding on a flight home because of an expired passport, forcing a rescheduled journey and extra costs.
GAM-INDO called on the Immigration Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government to treat the matter as an emergency and process all outstanding student applications immediately. “10 September 2026 is fast approaching, and any further delay could have irreversible consequences,” the executive said in a statement signed by the president, secretary general and public relations officer.
Authorities in Banjul had not issued a public response at the time of writing. Students say they now face a narrowing window before Indonesian immigration rules and scholarship conditions take effect.
